Hospital slammed over patient death - full story
An Essex hospital under investigation for higher than expected death rates has been criticised by the Health Service Ombudsman.
Centre opens
A new centre - one of the first specialist education programmes of its kind in the country has opened in Buckinghamshire.
Yuk! Why are we doing this again?
What on earth are these people eating? Find out more here.
Live updates
Trust "absolutely committed" to improving mortality outcomes
The latest statement from the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation reads:
The Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is absolutely committed to continuing to improve its mortality outcomes.
There is a dedicated group of clinicians, including those external to the Trust, who meet every fortnight to discuss, understand and act on specific diagnostic groups where Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio/Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator indicators are higher than anticipated...
...and to deliver a Trust-wide mortality reduction programme. Mortality is the first quality indicator discussed on the agenda at each Trust Board meeting.
In addition, all hospital deaths are reviewed to identify any lessons that can be learned about the care given.
Clare Panniker, Chief Executive, said:
“We will fully support the review by Sir Bruce Keogh and believe it can only further support our work in this area.
A great deal of work has already taken place, and more is underway to achieve consistently high standards of care, including the introduction of a Trust-wide Quality and Safety turnaround programme.
This is looking at all areas of patient quality and safety, to ensure everyone who comes here receives high quality care and does not come to any harm.
Clearly some of these changes, alongside improvements we are making to how we communicate and listen to staff, will take time. However, we are working hard and are committed to making Basildon Hospital worthy of the local community it serves.
We are working closely with external stakeholders, including regulators, to achieve our aspirations.”
Princess Anne opens new brain injury hospital in Swindon
Before leaving, The Princess Royal thanked those making the build possible.
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The Princess Royal leaves Swindon after opening new brain injury hospital in the town
Princess Anne had officially opened Chalkdown House, a new brain injury hospital in Swindon.
The Princess Royal opens new brain injury hospital in Swindon
After taking a tour of the new service HRH the Princess Royal met contractors and others who made the building of the service possible.Nick Thatcher (right) donated the funds for the IT suite at Chalkdown House.
Princess Anne arrives in Swindon to open new brain injury hospital
Princess Anne to open new brain injury hospital in Swindon
The Princess Royal will be opening a new brain injury hospital in Swindon today.
The new unit called Chalkdown House costs £3.5 million. It will provide rehabilitation for up to 20 people and 60 jobs will be created.
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'It will take time to restore patient faith' says inspection boss
Dr David Levy, leading inspection team for Basildon Hospital as part of Keogh Review, tells me it will take time to restore patient faith...
From @RiaITV on Twitter:Team will be on wards any time of day or night
During their rapid response review the external team will talk to staff, patients and families, as well as members of the public. Everyone will be encouraged to provide frank and honest opinions about the quality of care and treatment provided to patients.
The review aims to discover whether there are any sustained failings in the quality of care and treatment being provided. It will also examine the Trusts plans to improve the care it delivers to patients.
Visit to last two days
Earlier this year, the Prime Minister asked Professor Sir Bruce Keogh - the Medical Director of NHS England - to review the quality of care and treatment provided by 14 NHS hospitals that have shown higher than expected mortality ratios over the past two years.
Basildon is one of those hospitals.
The review aims to discover whether there are any sustained failings in the quality of care and treatment being provided. It will also examine the Trusts plans to improve the care it delivers to patients.
The review followed the publication of the Francis Report into Mid-Staffordshire Hospitals.
That report concluded that "patients were routinely neglected by a Trust that was preoccupied with cost cutting, targets and processes and which lost sight of its fundamental responsibility to provide safe care."
The visit to Basildon Hospital is expected to last 2 days. Professor Keogh will report on his findings by the summer.
Panel looks at hospital's mortality rates
A team of experts is visiting Basildon Hospital today as part of a review into mortality rates. The site is one of fourteen locations under scrutiny.
The Prime Minister initiated the investigation into sites that have shown higher death rates over the past two years. Basildon Hospital's Chief Executive has said that work is underway to ensure patients receive compassionate care.
